Apparatus for forming tubular articles



w. c. RoBBlNs 2, 0 ,837-

APPARATUS FORFORMING TUBULAR ARTICLES Feb. 8, 1938.

. Filed June 15, 1934 2 Sheets-Shet l INVENTOR.

' ATTORNEY Feb. 8, 1938.-

'w. c. ROBBINS APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBULAR ARTICLES 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Ju ne 13. 1934 mm 9 G fi +m v Jam P -1... l 1 R III-IIIIHIIIIII mnll I [NV TOR.

TORNEY Mac Wm Patented Feb. 8, 1938 PATIENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR- FORMING TUBULAR TICLES Willis 0. Robbins, Wakefield, assignor .to

Metropolitan Sewing Machine Corporation,

Nyack, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application June 13, 1

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for forming tubular articles, particularly filled and unfilled belts for wearing apparel.

In most previous efforts belts were formed by folding a strip upon itself and infolding the edges of the strip, then sewing said edges together with a stitch which'would be exposed in the final article; and in those forms of belts which were sewed inside out'and then turned in order to obtain concealed stitching it was necessary to manually turn .the belts right side out with long bar like tools. Heretofore it has usually been necessary to separately iron the tubular article with a separate and disconnected operation subsequent to sewing the tubular article, and;- so far as is known, no unitary process or apparatus has been provided which will completely fabricate (fold, sew, turn, moisten, and iron) a belt at one time.

It is an object 'of the present invention to provide an improved process for forming tubular articles, which will facilitate the manufacture and improve the quality thereof, particularly belts for apparel.

A further object is to provide a unitary mechanism'adapted to perform a plurality of steps in, the-manufacture-of a tubular article; viz., do in a -single machine and with a single operator that which has heretofore been done on separate machines and by separate operators, to the end that a more uniform and economical productmay be obtained.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tubular article forming apparatus 5 which will be economical, compact, and readily accessible fer initial loading, for. adjustment, and for observation of the article as it is being fabricated'. Y

Yet another object is to provide an apparatus 40 which will make possible the practical and economical forming of belts from waste materials.

Features of the present invention include the provision of a novel form of guide attachment for folding and guiding a strip relative to the sewing mechanism; apparatus for turning the tubular article right side out; apparatus for removing wrinkles from the tubular articlefmeans for directing a tubular article, which is originally sewed in a direction away from the operator, subsequently toward the operator again for satisfactory visual inspection-thence, rearwardly-of the machine again for subsequent operations; apparatus for'ironing the finished article; means for filling the tubular article; and a novel mechanism 934, Serial No. 730,378 01. 112-63) prior. to the and advantages will,

The present preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a topplan view of the complete machine with a fragment of the sewing mechanism head removed. Fig. 2 is a side elevation.

' Fig. 3 is a front view.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the work guide. Fig. 5 is a detail. of the atomizer. Fig. 6 is a sectionalview of a modified form of heating and ironing device.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line'll in Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 7 but of a slightly modified form of guide. Referring now in detail to the drawings, the

present invention comprises a base plate ll, supporting a sewing mechanism I 2 near thejfront thereof. This sewing mechanism may be of almost any conventional type and for illustration is of the well known Metropolitan ty'pe including a frame I 3, suitably bolted to the base, with an overhanging arm l4 supporting a needle bar l5 and presser foot l6, and having a lower section I! supporting a looper l8 and a feeddog l9.

Operating mechanism for the needle bar l5,

looper l8, and feed dog i9may be of any usual type associated with any of the well known direct motor drives or may include a pulley 20 at one.

side 'of the sewingmechanism having a suitable belt connection through holes 2! to a prime mover under the base plate ll.

A strip 22 of cloth or any other ma reel 23 rotatable on a standard 24 is, according terial on a to the present invention, both folded and guided to the sewing mechanism I! in a ve 'y eiii'cie nt way, in a manner to permit ready accessibility to all the operating parts. Also the present invention makes possible close visual inspection of the v product by the provision of a novel and very efficient guide 25, -which permits mounting the strip supply roll 23 at an angle to the line of stitching and which directs the strip rearwardly of the machine during the sewing, then forwardlythereof.

Preferably the guide 25 is secured to a cloth plate 26 by screws 21, and comprises aninlet channel member 28 of substantially U-shaped in cross section adapted to fold the strip and align the edges 29 relative to each other and particularly to direct the strip 22 from a plane at an angle to the line of stitching to the plane of the line of stitching. At its inner end the inlet channel member aligns with an outlet channel member 30 also of substantially U-shape in cross section adapted to fold the strip about a return tube 3| with the edges of the strip directly in the line of stitching, as shown in Fig. 7. The tube- 3| may be U or variously shaped but is preferably made as shown. A notch 32 on the guide clears the presser foot l6, needle 33 and feed dog l9 to permit a usual feeding action. The inlet channel member 28 may be dispensed with out its use insures a better product. Relationship between the inlet channel member 28, outlet channel member 30 and return tube 3| is such that the strip isneatly folded at its center and the edges thereof are properly directed to stitch forming parts of the sewing mechanism l2.

The return tube 3| is a particularly novel part of the guide 25. It is supported in spaced relation to the outlet channel member 30 by fingers 3'4 thereon secured to the guide 25, and may have other similar fingers extending to the outlet channel member walls '30 for added rigidity. The tube serves as a master about which the strip is folded and as a guide prior, during, and

subsequent to the formation of a line of stitching 35 making the strip 22 into an inside out fabric tube or belt 22' and also .serves to fold the formed belt right side out and direct it toward the front of the sewing mechanism again. With the outlet tube 28 it serves to guide the strip absolutely parallel with theline of stitching and insures uniform products.

Subsequent to the formatlon of the line of stitches 35 and making of the strip 22 into a tubular article such as belt 22', the belt is moved rearwardly of the sewing mechanism |2 then curled back upon itself or turned right side out to conceal the line of stitches as shown at G by being fed or pulled back through the return tube 3| toward the front of the sewing mechanism as may be seen best in Figs. 1 and 7, to facilitate visual inspection. The expression tube" is intended to cover both a belt and any tubular strip made on this apparatus, and belt only those made for use onwearing apparel. Feed of the tube through the return tube and turning it right side out may be accomplished manually by having an operator pull the tube.

However, this is done automatically according to I the present invention through the provision of a' puller or. other feeding device 36 secured to the base H by screws 31 preferably at the rear of the sewing mechanism with a pair of feed rollers 38,

including lower and upper rollers 39 and 40 respectively located in slightly spaced relation sidewise to the line of stitching. A pair of standards 4| and 42 with a sleeve 43 and roller 44 respectively, in alignment with the return tube 3| and with the puller rollers 38, complete'siahe mechanism for moving the stitched tube forwardly into the line of vision.

Rotation of the feed rollers 38* in proper peripheral ratio with feed of the dog I9 is accomplished-through a driving connection 45 between the sewing mechanism l2 and a main drive shaft 46 of the puller feed device 36. As shown, this driving connection comprises a crank arm. ll asother end has a suitable adjustable connection with a grip clutch 50 of the usual type for regularly connecting a puller feed device with a sewing mechanism. Since such driving connections are well known, detailed description will be omitted. Preferably the upper roller 40 is driven coordinately with the lower roller 39 through the provision of a gear (not shown) on the main shaft 46 engaging and driving a gear 5| on the upper roller shaft 52.

As shown, the upper roller is yieldingly moved toward the lower roller as by a spring 55 pressing down on a collar 53 carried by a rod 54. A lever 56, under the collar 53, connected to any suitable hand or foot lever is provided to lift the feed roller 40 from the bottom roller 39 to facilitate introducing the belt thereto.

If preferred,- only one standard 42 and one roller 44 as shown by dot and dash lines need 'be provided; dispensing with standard 4| and sleeve 43, in which event the roller is preferably made of larger diameter as shownby the roller 44' whilethe standard is located as shown by dot and dashlines in Fig. 1 in order to have the rearward travel of the finished belt 22' out of the path of the stitch forming parts. When it is desired to use the sleeve 43 with this form of the invention the sleeve 43 may be connected to the guide 25 by arms 43.

Although the standard 4| may be provided with a roller, similar to the roller 44 in place of the sleeve 43, the latter performs an important function about to be described. As the stitched tube or belt 22' is pulled from the return tube 3| it is somewhat. round in shape and sometimes has wrinkles. The present invention provides an apparatus to remove the. wrinkles and to initially flatten the belt again. This apparatus includes [a floating spreader5l preferably in the form of a solid metal lug of substantially the same diameter as the inside of a stitched tube and tapered at each of the ends as shown in Fig. 4, to straighten out the wrinkles and to spread the tube prior to its entrance into the sleeve 43 where itis initially formed fiat again. The sleeve thus-prevents the spreader from travelling with the belt, initially flattens the belt, and cooperates with the spreader to remove wrinkles. I

The apparatus so far described is capable of folding and guiding fiat strip material to the sewing mechanism, to form a tube, then to turn the tube right side out, to remove the wrinkles, fiatten the tubular article, and to pull it through the machine.

The present invention also provides mechanism to impregnate the belt 22 with steam, liquid, or a wax-like powder to moisten'or charge it, and novel mechanism to iron it automatically as it is fed through the machine. In one form this impregnation may be accomplished through the provision of a container 58 with any suitable material secured to the frame of the puller feed device 36 by screws 59 and provided with a pipe 60 and nozzle SI, and with a pet-cock 62 adapted to regulate the flow of the material to the article. The pipe 60 may be connected to any suitable source of steam. Also the nozzle 6| may be located at 6| ,to discharge on the inside of the belt where it reverses to provide a, longertravel or time for impregnation to occur and so that the return tube 3| forms a chamber to insure thorough impregnation. Preferably an air supply 53 is provided to force and apply the liquid or powder in the form of a fine spray 64. Y

For this purpose the present invention provides a cylinder 65 on a bracket 66 secured to the arm rial out of the nozzleil in the form of a fine spray. As the needle bar is reciprocated at a high speed, the air forced down through the pipe 69 tends to suck more liquid or powder down through the pipe 60 thereby indirectly regulating or varying the amount as the speed of the stitching and a feed of the belt is increased or decreased. This variable' effect is more positively achieved through the provision of an atomizer Ill and container II which may be suitably mounted so that the nozzle thereof overlies or underlies thebelt in any desired location. Thus, the air may be used to drawmoistening or charging material from acontainer located below the'belt or discharge nozzle to prevent leakage while the sewing machine is stopped. Subsequentto the operation ofmoistening, the belt 22' is ironed, preferably with the applica- =tion'0f heat. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, an iron-9 ing device 12 provided by the present invention comprises a heated table 13 secured to the feed device 36 by screws 14. Preferably this table is somewhat hollow on the inside as indicated by the dotted lines 15, and is provided'with a pair of 2 holes in the side wall thereof, adapted to receive and support a substantially U-shaped heating element 16, best seen in Fig. 6. Current is received through .a power line 11 thence through a variable resistance 18 and wires 19 and 80 .to resistance wires suitably wound on the U-shaped member 16'. The ironing device is completed through the provision of a presser member 12 pivoted on the shaft 52 and yieldingly forced toward the heated table 13 by a spring 8|.

Thus, the present invention provides a very satisfactory apparatus adapted to moisten and to heat and iron the belt automatically and concurrently with the other operations of sewing,

' folding, and feeding the bel In some instances it is preferred to provide filler within the belt in order to give it thickness for appearance and for added strength. The present invention provides for automatically filling the tube as it is formed by the sewing mechanism If,

and prior to the ironing operation, so that the filler may be properly flattened relative to the final contour of the belt. To this end, an endless strip of filler 83 of felt, semi-loose cotton or other ma.- terial, mounted on a. suitable reel or in a supply box underneath the base'i i, is passed upwardly through an aperture 84 andis directed into the belt '22 at the rear end of the return tube 3| as the belt is intially turned right side out and pulled back through the return tube. Thus, the belt, as it When the belt is to be so sued,

filler 83 may also be in the form of a single or example like that used regularly to cement the hem in the bottom of trousers or for patching, which, when heat or moisture is applied will cause the fabric to adhere and prevent any possibility of wrinkling and will also stiffen the belt.

A modified form of ironing device 85 is shown in Figs. 1 and 6 comprising the same heating element 16 applied to the roller not the puller feed device 36 in a novel manner. The lower roller 38 is hollowed as at.39' to accommodate the U- shaped body 18' of the heating element, and a frame wall 36' is provided with apertures 86 adapted to receive and hold the element. Thus, the lower roller may be conditioned to form a heating table and the upper roller cooperates as a presser member to heat and iron the belt 22' at b the same time that it pull feeds.

In fabricating the tube with the preferred arrangement of the present invention the strip 22 is passed through the inlet channel member 18 "which folds the strip upon itself right side out,

emerges from the return tube as at "C" and D,-

reverses its direction of feed at the position E" and again reverses its feed at "F". It is apparent then that the tube 22 with the concealed stitching is preferably made by travelling in five directions. The several arrows in Fig. 1 show the direction of travel. By thus forming a belt, manufacturing cost is considerably reduced, because waste m'atethough the edges are rough and uneven, for these edges are subsequently concealed when the tube is turned'right side out. In fabricating belts from waste materials it is necessary to have a closer check or control of the product, and the present invention with its feed into the line of vision is therefore especially advantageous.

rials may be secured together end-to-end even It is within the purview of this invention to have the puller feed device 33 and either of the two forms of the ironing devices 12 or I! and associated moisteners in front of the sewing mechanism I! or to otherwise position these various mechanisms relative to each other, but forconvenience of operation the arrangement shown is now preferred.

It is also within the purview of this inventionto make. a belt II with folded-in edges II and exposed stitches 80 by merely providing return bends II on the modified outlet channel member 94 as shown in Fig. 8. when this type of belt is madethe puller feed device 36 is fastened to the base II in the position shown by dot'and dash lines 92 so that the puller rolls 33' will bein a direct'line with the belt 83 as it is moved rearwardly of the machine. Thus, the belt'is formed without the need of folding it right side out, and in this direct passage to the rear of the machine may be moistened and ironed with the apparatus and the methods already described in detail. i

If it is desired to load or fill this form of the belt, the filler is passed upwardly of the base from its source of supply through a hole 33 in the front of the machine, then passed rearwardly through the return tube 3| into the belt as it leaves the rear end of the attachment 2, and

when once started is automatically pulled from the source of supply with the belt 88 by the feeding device.

Although the main purpose of this machine is to sew and iron various types of belts for wearing apparel, it may be used advantageously to form other tubular articles. Variations and modifications in addition to those described in detail may be made within the scope of this invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be covered by Letters Patent, is

1. A tube sewing and turning apparatus comprising a sewing mechanism, a channel member adapted to fold a strip to maintain two edges of the folded strip in closely adjacent alignment and to direct the two edges parallel with the line of stitching; a tube within said channel around which the strip is folded; and means for pulling the stitched strip through the tube to turn it right side out.

2. A tube sewing and turning apparatus comprising a sewing mechanism; an inlet channel member for directing a strip at an angle to the line of stitching; an outlet channel member for foldinga strip, maintaining two edges of the folded strip in closely adjacent alignment and for directing the two edges parallel with the line of stitching; and a tube within said outlet channel member around which the strip is folded for stitching and through which the stitched tube is turned right side out.

3. A tube sewing and turning apparatus comprising a sewing mechanism including a regular feeding means; an inlet channel member for directing a strip at an angle to the line of stitching; an outlet channel member for folding a strip, maintaining two edges of the folded strip in closely adjacent alignment and directing the two edges parallel with the line of stitching; a tube within said outlet channel member around which the strip is folded for stitching and through which the stitched tube is subsequently turned right side out; and a feed device associated with the sewing mechanism adapted to pull the stitched strip through the tube coordinately with the regular feed means of the sewing mechanism.

4. In a tube forming apparatus the combination of a sewing mechanism; a guide having a return tube upon which a strip is folded and sewed to form a stitched tube, and through which it is drawn for subsequent operations; a feeding mechanism on the sewing mechanism adapted to feed the strip over the return tube; a feeding device adapted to draw the stitched tube through the return tube; a spreader adapted to be carried by the stitched tube; and a stationary sleeve intermediate the return tube and the feeding device adapted to prevent the spreader from traveling with the tube.

5., In a tube forming and impregnating apparatus the combination of a sewing mechanism; a guide for directing a strip relative to the line of stitching to form a stitched tube; means for directing charging material to the stitched tube; and means to force said charging material onto the tube including a piston on the needle bar and a cooperating cylinder.

6. In a tube forming apparatus the combination of a sewing mechanism; an inlet channel member adapted to fold a strip upon itself right side out and to direct the stripat an angle to the line of stitching; a tube; and an outlet channel member associated with the inlet channel member but at an angle thereto adapted to fold the strip right side in about the tube and to direct it along the line of stitching.

WILLIS C. ROBBINS. 

